A SOMBRE list of war dead from one of Ipswich's most famous firms could be brought to life as curators of a new museum exhibition issue an appeal for information on the men.

A SOMBRE list of war dead from one of Ipswich's most famous firms could be brought to life as curators of a new museum exhibition issue an appeal for information on the men.

A memorial plaque listing the 130 former Ransomes staff who died during the First World War forms a moving centrepiece of the new Ransomes exhibition – opened in the £250,000 William Bone Building at the Museum of East Anglian Life on Saturday.

Now its curator, Jayne Austin, has asked The Evening Star to send out a message to surviving family members to see if light can be shed on the lives that were so abruptly ended nearly a century ago.

"We would like to bring them to life – they are more than just names," said Ms Austin. "We would be very interested to hear from the family of the men. They deserve to have their story told."

Many of the soldiers who downed tools at the 200-year-old agricultural machinery firm to take up arms during the 1914-18 war would have served in the local county unit, the Suffolk Regiment.

Also included in the memorial to the dead are details of a Ransomes staffer who was awarded Britain's highest award for bravery, the Victoria Cross.

Sgt Arthur Saunders, of the 9th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, who survived the war, was decorated for his part in leading a machinegun unit despite being badly wounded.

n If you have information about a Ransomes worker who died while serving in the forces during the First World War, you can write to Ms Austin at the The Museum of East Anglian Life, Stowmarket, Suffolk.

n If you have a story in the Stowmarket area that you would like to share with us, please contact James Fraser on 01473 282386 or by e-mail: james.fraser@ecng.co.uk